Carnival Foundation – Grants, Sponsorships & In-Kind Donations

Rolling Corporate Giving Supporting Education, Human Needs, Health, Arts, and Environmental Initiatives

Carnival Foundation accepts grant, sponsorship, and in-kind donation requests from eligible nonprofit organizations throughout the year. The Foundation supports organizations making a positive difference for youth, families, and communities, with primary giving interests spanning education, human and social needs, health, arts and culture, and environmental initiatives.

Organization: Carnival Foundation
Support Type: Charitable grants, sponsorships, and in-kind donations
Geographic Focus: Nationwide; priority appears to be given to South Florida and communities where Carnival brands operate or visit.
Deadline: Rolling / ongoing

About the Funder

Carnival Foundation oversees many of the philanthropic efforts of Carnival Corporation and its employee volunteer initiatives. The Foundation supports nonprofit organizations through monetary contributions, in-kind donations, sponsorships, employee fundraising, and volunteer engagement.

Carnival’s philanthropy has historically emphasized improving the quality of life for children, families, and communities. While the Foundation has a particularly strong presence in South Florida, its charitable partnerships extend to organizations and communities connected to Carnival Corporation and its brands.

What This Program Supports

Carnival Foundation’s primary funding areas include:

Education

Programs that expand educational opportunities, strengthen academic achievement, support youth development, and help students prepare for future success.

Human & Social Needs

Organizations addressing critical community needs, including hunger, homelessness, economic hardship, family stability, mentoring, and support for vulnerable populations.

Health & Human Services

Programs supporting health, wellness, medical services, individuals with disabilities, children facing serious illnesses, and other health-related community needs.

Arts & Culture

Organizations providing access to arts, culture, music, theater, museums, and creative educational experiences.

Environment

Environmental programs and initiatives that help protect and improve communities and natural resources.

Eligible Support Types

Carnival Foundation currently accepts requests for:

• Charitable grants
• Corporate sponsorships
• In-kind donations

Organizations seeking an in-kind donation may be asked to describe the associated fundraising event, expected audience, how proceeds will be used, and promotional opportunities available to Carnival.

Eligibility & Preferences

Applicants must be organizations recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) and cannot be classified as private foundations.

Applicants should be prepared to provide documentation including:

• IRS determination letter
• Most recent Form 990
• Organization and project budgets
• Most recent audited financial statements for grant requests
• W-9
• Description of the organization and governing board
• Purpose of the funding request
• Amount requested
• Other sources of financial support
• Geographic area served

Grant renewal applicants must also provide a final report explaining how their previous Carnival Foundation funding was used.

Ineligible Requests

Carnival Foundation will not consider requests from or for:

• Individuals, including participants in events or fundraisers
• Religious organizations
• Fraternal organizations
• Political organizations
• Athletic organizations
• Rotary Clubs
• Animal welfare organizations or causes
• Labor or union groups
• Elementary or secondary schools
• PTA, PTO, PTSA, booster clubs, or other school extracurricular organizations
• Film productions, including documentaries

Funding Amounts

Carnival Foundation does not publish a standard grant range or maximum award amount.

Funding decisions are based on the proposed request, alignment with Foundation priorities, organizational qualifications, and available charitable resources.

Timeline & Review

📅 Application Timeline: Rolling / year-round
📅 Review Schedule: Proposals are reviewed continuously
📅 Response Time: Qualified applicants should allow up to two months for a written response
📅 Sponsorship & In-Kind Requests: Submit approximately 4–6 months before the event

Applicants whose requests do not meet Carnival Foundation guidelines may not receive a response.

Application / Request Process

All grant, sponsorship, and in-kind donation requests must be submitted through Carnival Foundation’s online application portal.

Grant applicants should be prepared to submit:

• A letter describing the organization, its history, activities, purpose, and governing board
• Purpose of the grant
• Amount requested
• Other sources of financial support
• Project operating budget
• Organization annual budget
• Most recent audited financial statement
• Most recent Form 990
• IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter
• Completed W-9
• Geographic areas served

Requests submitted by mail, email, or fax are not accepted.

Apply / Learn More:
➡️ https://www.carnivalfoundation.com/apply/

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

This opportunity is a strong fit for organizations that:

• Have established 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
• Work in education, human needs, health, arts and culture, or environmental programming
• Serve youth, families, or communities facing significant needs
• Have the financial and organizational documentation required for corporate grant review
• Operate in communities with a meaningful connection to Carnival Corporation or its brands
• Are seeking grant funding, sponsorship support, or in-kind assistance

Carnival Foundation may be particularly worth exploring for established nonprofits that can demonstrate strong community impact and alignment with the company’s philanthropic priorities.

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Review Type: Rolling / continuous review
Typical Lead Time: Allow up to 2 months for grant review; submit sponsorship and in-kind requests 4–6 months before an event
Funding Amount: Not publicly specified
Best Suited For: Established 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on education, human needs, health, arts and culture, or environmental initiatives
Key Limitation: Religious, athletic, animal welfare, K–12 school-affiliated, political, and several other organization types are not eligible

New to corporate grant fundraising?
Read our Corporate Grants for Nonprofits: Ultimate Guide to learn how corporate funding works.